Xbox 720 launch confirmed by Microsoft for 21 May

Microsoft has confirmed its next-generation Xbox gaming console will launch on 21 May at its US headquarters in Redmond, Washington State.

"Tune in for the live reveal, May 21 at 10 AM PDT on http://xbox.com, @Xbox Live, and Spike TV. #XboxReveal," the @Xbox account tweeted.

Microsoft also invited reporters to attend the launch event. That invite tips "A New Generation Revealed," and promises a presentation from Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business, and the Xbox team.

Microsoft rival Sony unveiled its next-gen console, the PS4, in late-February. But the two hour-plus New York City presentation focused heavily on games and specs and didn't actually include a glimpse of the actual PS4 hardware. Will Microsoft do the same?

Larry Hyrb, director of programming for the Xbox Live network, said in a blog post that the 21 May event will "mark the beginning of a new generation of games, TV and entertainment."

"On that day, we'll share our vision for Xbox, and give you a real taste of the future," he wrote. "Then, 19-days later at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, we'll continue the conversation and showcase our full lineup of blockbuster games."

Since then, the rumours have been fast and furious about the console, dubbed the Xbox 720: from suggestions that Xbox 720 chips are already in production as well as tight integration with Kinect to the possible lack of Blu-ray.

More recently, reported screen shots of the new Xbox's development kit emerged online, suggesting that the Redmond-based manufacturer will be embracing the always-on, always-connected approach with the new Xbox. Earlier this month, a source told Kotaku that Microsoft's new Xbox will be an always-online system, with the ability to tolerate occasional dropped connections.